The Mesquite community rallied around its own for a successful Back to School Buddies supply drive, and the Salvation Army of Mesquite wants to thank everyone who took part.

“Thank you to the community of Mesquite. People here are very generous, I feel very blessed to be here,” said Major Lisa Smith of the Salvation Army. “People helped out, people came together and helped."

Smith said that this year’s supply drive was the largest to date, with 165 children receiving back to school supplies this year. That number is up from 140 last year, and 126 in 2015.

Smith said she is anticipating that next year’s event will be even bigger as the city’s population continues to grow.

“The community is growing and, I think, as they grow and with the job situation here, there’s not a lot of good paying jobs here,” she said. “So many families are struggling. The economy here, even though it might be better in other places, it still hasn’t quite recovered. And people are moving here because the cost of living is so low. And a lot of people are unemployed or underemployed and so they need help with school supplies.”

Smith thanked Stateline Casino, Eureka Resort Casino and Washington Federal Bank for holding supply drives. She also thanked the Desert Valley Times, Reliance Connects and all others who made cash donations to the drive. Eureka also donated 141 pairs of shoes. In total, Smith said the Salvation Army received more than $1,000 in cash donations and some $1,000 worth of supplies.

Smith was especially grateful to those people who donated backpacks to the drive, which she said was probably the biggest back to school expense.

“Without the generosity of the people of Mesquite, we couldn’t do this,” she said.

Next up for the Salvation Army is the holiday season. In October, Smith said they’ll start talking with local businesses about putting up Angel Trees around town.

“Whoever wants to buy toys for children or whoever wants to come by here and get information about a child and what they’ll like, they’re certainly welcome to do so,” Smith said. “We certainly will need the community’s help then, too.”

Follow Lucas Thomas on Twitter, @LucasThomas14, or call him at 702-232-0603.